An AWESOME artSPARK SUMMER!

In a Nutshell

We think of summer as long, blissful days to dream, play, be care-free, explore, and discover. Kids need a break from routine to let their imaginations run free and make their own rules in a safe, structured, and supportive environment which includes getting outside 3 times a day for lunch/snack and creative play. Lunch and Snacks NOT provided.

What are the themes each week?

No Themes. Just creative opportunities around every corner. Trust us and read on…

artSPARK Summer Camps have always incorporated a variety of techniques and processes, allowing the kids to make decisions about what interests them and how they want their art to look despite any theme we designated.  We have tried several themes in the past, but the truth is, when a young artist is not expected to follow a set of step-by-step instructions for a predetermined project, he/she naturally dabbles in many different media and subject matter, often in the same work period.  It’s a human need to experiment and explore, take a risk, and sometimes change direction, especially for the creative brain, and one between the ages of 6-13 that is learning so much about themselves and the world around them.  

So we present, artSPARK Summer Camp!

It is everything we have observed and learned about kids and creativity over the past 25+ years that Co-Founders, Michele and Andrea have each been teaching art. It feels AMAZING to step out of the traditional camp model and step forward with what is true to artSPARK and what we love to do for kids.

We can’t wait for you to join us!

We offer a mixed media summer camp that shows techniques and processes for 2D & 3D ideas, allowing all types of makers to have access to what they need, meeting a variety of interests and skill levels. 

Teacher guided and Student Led. Designed for your creative child!

All media are incorporated into every week because kids naturally gravitate between both and get inspired spontaneously by what they see in a moment, needing to express that idea right away.  Coincidentally, this is how artists think and work too.  You know that Picasso quote, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up”?  Well, we always keep our environment prepared for the child to remain an artist rather than altering it to the point where they grow up only learning to copy ideas, leaving many to wonder one day if they are good at art because theirs doesn’t look like the example. We always allow and encourage those who are ready, to build on an idea or take it in a different direction. It’s all about following the child and guiding them in their creative growth.

What will they Make and Learn?

If your child likes being creative and making things whether that be a drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, sensory and creative play, color experiments, hand sewing or weaving, wire sculptures, found object sculpture, or a crazy invention, they will love artSPARK camp. We provide the environment, inspiration, and guidance for imaginations to run wild. We teach how artists think & work, and allow unique ideas to come to life.

Kids will learn creative thinking strategies, try materials and processes in new ways as well as traditional techniques, observe and learn from other famous and current artists, have the chance to take risks, problem solve, collaborate, and make ideas that they get excited about. Your child will bring home work that represents where they are in the artistic process. If your child hasn’t had much experience exploring media, techniques, and processes, they may bring home more practice and exploration work. If they already do a lot of art and have developed a preference and style, they may bring home a piece that they have put many hours into that week. Our instructors gives lots of 1:1 guidance after the group demos and creative brainstorming activities.

Whether you are new to our summer camps or have been here in the past, we incorporate new processes and familiar favorites that kids love, keeping in mind to tailor the instruction to the group that signs up.

Ready to Join in the Creative fun?

Enroll your child(ren) in the weeks that work for your schedule and their age group with the links below without worrying about if the theme they wanted lines up with your plans. Let them choose what they want to work with and create their own theme when they get here. Yes, we still teach and guide. It is not a free-for-all. They think they get to do what they want, but we control the environment to create freedom within order, observing the needs of each child and the group as a whole as we navigate our daily routine (outlined in each camp link below).

artSPARK Camp can be experienced multiple times because we always offer something new and allow kids to express their own emergent ideas. It’s always evolving and never the same.

Good to Know

Please check the age requirements for camps. Enroll in the age group your child will be entering in the Fall. If you have a child that just finished Kindergarten, they can join our 1st-5th grade age group, but decide if your rising 1st grader is ready for a full day camp. If you have a child that just finished 5th grade, you have the choice of enrolling in the younger or older age group. Think about which social group your rising 6th grader does better with. Generally, if they will be starting 6th grade they are ready for the older age group. If they just finished 8th grade most have grown out of this camp, but we are happy to have them if they will still benefit from this environment. If you are unsure, we are happy to discuss more with you.

*We are sorry, but we will not be able to make exceptions for siblings to join camps together if they are not the age listed for the offering. Kids must have completed Kindergarten to join 1st-5th grade camps. Thank you for understanding.

Each camp has 3 adults on site: an experienced Studio Manager who is also a mom/grandma with a background in teaching/art, a Lead Instructor who is also a practicing artist, and a Studio Assistant that is passionate about kids and art. Everyone is CPR/First Aid certified.

ARTIST CELEBRATIONS

Friday Afternoons campers will showcase their work throughout the week for family and friends to come into the studio and see.

FREE Sketchbook

Also included in each camp is a sketchbook! We will use these in the studio and each day will end with a Sketchbook Challenge to encourage at home practice and creative thinking.